KEY POINTS:
New medical graduates need incentives such as debt relief in order to keep them in the country, the New Zealand Medical Students' Association (NZMSA) says.
The number of medical students who left New Zealand immediately after graduation last year was highlighted during recent industrial action, NZMSA president Anna Dare said.
"This exodus of our newest doctors is a real cause for concern."
She told NZPA that of the 280 graduates last year, about 30 left the country immediately after graduation.
The "vast majority" were New Zealanders, not foreign students returning home.
"It is actually an unusual thing to happen, usually people leave two years later, so we're not even getting these graduates working in New Zealand."
Ms Dare said that while many factors impacted on doctor migration, high student debt remained a key driver for new graduates.
"The average New Zealand medical student will graduate with $65,000-$100,000 worth of debt.
"When faced with the realities of paying these amounts back, many young doctors are looking to Australia."
Ms Dare said young doctors were less likely to return to the country if they left shortly after graduating.
The NZMSA proposed a scheme that would provide new graduates with loan write-offs in return for working in an area of need within New Zealand.
"It acknowledges six years of hard study and rewards you for making the choice to stay in New Zealand," Ms Dare said.
This week the New Zealand Medical Association called on the Government to help quell the dispute between junior doctors and District Health Boards.
NZMA chairman Peter Foley said the Government must use its influence to assist both parties in resolving the current dispute, and in doing so must recognise the immediate issues facing the junior doctor workforce.
"Then it must work with the medical profession in a more strategic way to find policy-based solutions to the major workforce issues facing junior doctors and indeed the whole of the profession.
"It is time for leadership and action," Dr Foley said.
- NZPA
